Texas A&M football: 30 greatest players of all-time
By Jeff Shull
Stats – 169 total tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 20.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions
Accolades – 1993 Consensus All-American, 1992 Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year, 1991 First-Team Freshman All-American, 1992 and 1993 First-Team All-Southwest Conference, 1993 Sports Illustrated Defensive Player of the Year, 1993 Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year, 1993 Runner-up for Lombardi Award, Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame
Team signature moment – Winning the Southwest Conference title three consecutive times
The early 1990s were maybe the best run in school history when it comes to winning the conference and national recognition. At the middle of winning three consecutive conference titles was big Sam Adams, the most dominant defensive tackle in Texas A&M’s history and one of the best to ever do it as his position.
He was honored with awards in all three seasons as an Aggie, but his 1993 season was one for the ages. He finished with 78 tackles, 13 tackles for loss,10.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Each of those numbers besides tackles were first on the team. He was named a consensus All-American and finished second in the voting for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation’s top lineman.
Adams was freakishly athletic for his size. He also threw discus and shot put for the Texas A&M Track & Field team.
After dominating for three seasons, he would go on to be the No. 8 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and have a 14-year NFL career, making three Pro Bowls and being named All-Pro twice. Adams was an important part of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl team, which some believe is the best defense ever assembled.